China confirms building its second aircraft carrier

China currently operates the old refurbished aircraft carrier Liaoning, purchased from Ukraine in 1998.

December 31, 2015 17:34 IST

China has confirmed it is building a second aircraft carrier, using entirely domestic technology. The 50,000-ton carrier is currently being built in the northern port of Dalian, Colonel Yang Yujun, Defence Ministry spokesperson, told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.

China has officially confirmed building the carrier after months of speculation.

"China has a long coastline and a vast maritime area under our jurisdiction. To safeguard our maritime sovereignty, interests and rights is the sacred mission of the Chinese armed forces," Colonel Yang was quoted by Reuters as saying.

"The new vessel will have a displacement of 50,000 tonnes and will use conventional power as opposed to being nuclear-driven," AFP quoted Yang as saying.

"It will carry China's indigenous J-15 aircraft along with other planes," he added.

There is no news on when the second aircraft carrier will begin operations.

China first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, is a second-hand Soviet-era ship purchased from Ukraine in 1998, but was fitted and equipped in China, AFP reported.

China's neighbours are worried about the rapid modernisation of the Chinese military since China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Tensions have been rising ever since the US increased patrolling with warships in the South China Sea.

Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and the Phillipines have claims in the South China Sea, through which $5-trillion ship-borne trade passes every year, Reuters reported.